Friday, June 16, 2017

Day 20 Ramadan 2017

Ramada Kareem,

This is a picture of the middle shelf in our entertainment center. Everything you see is meaningful to me. One particular element is new. Keep reading to learn which.

SUHOUR

2:40

Foul medamnes AGAIN. I made sure to add cucumber and tomato slices. My husband only clues in on the protein and totally forgets the really important component of hydrating fruits and vegetables. They fill you up and keep you from feeling thirsty. I also diced apple, added honey, cinnamon, and raisins and then mixed in muesli and plain yogurt. That was delicious!

FAJR

3:07

We prayed and I then I stayed up just twenty minutes to check emails and the news before heading back to sleep.

5:55

When I woke up, I felt gut-wrenching sick. I started to wonder what was making me feel so much pain. I thought how calling in sick was not an option, since it was the last day of school. Then, I had to admit to myself that I probably was sick to my stomach from the stress of returning to school after the farewell meeting (which was more like a farebadly meeting).

7:00

El Kid and I remembered Allah in dhikr on our way to school. He had his final exam and I had my final goodbyes. Every school year has some hugs and kisses on the cheek before the summer vacation. This year was going to be different because I was not returning.

Right after line-up, a teacher came up to me and told me that she hadn't known I was leaving and she was shocked. I followed her up the stairs and then we sat together and talked over my decision. Two more teachers joined. The consensus was that I was a hard-working professional who deserved better appreciation. Pretty cool pep talk for the first interaction of the day.

Next, I had agreed to go to the co-worker I'd been helping out. When I showed up, she handed me a jewelry bag. Whaaaaaaaat? Inside there was Arabic writing in silver. See it at the top of the post? I honestly didn't know what it meant. Do you know? Mohammedar Rasulullah. Mashahalllah! I was so pleased with that show of kindness. It will remain precious to me as proof that I was connected, people appreciated me, I survived, and it's all through the Grace of God.

Throughout the day, I kept being sought out for well wishes and goodbyes. It was a heartwarming contrast to the day before. Alhumdualillah.

I'll have to take a photo of the thank you note I received from one of my theatre kids. That was really special. He went from being too scared to be on stage to being a small part, and then starring roles.

I saw the teacher whose wife works at an Islamic school where I interviewed. That interview was back in December. I had arranged with them that I would come back in January during winter break, but they never answered my email. I wondered what had happened and it really hurt me to feel like I'd made such efforts towards an Islamic school only to have it flop. When I saw him, he had news.

"The school is searching for you. They told my wife to tell me to tell you that they want you to come next week."

Huh? First of all, that's some convoluted line of communication. Was that their preferred choice over smoke signals?!

Five months had gone by! I had interviewed in May with the international school in Alexandria and accepted (within one week rather than five months). I was shocked that they actually wanted me the whole time. Subhanallah! It was the most bassakward (not a typo) way to go about contacting me. It shows that they are a disorganized mess and NOT a place I would want to work. Alhumdulillah, that I was given better.

I got a chance to say goodbye to the head of the middle school, and she had MUCH nicer things to say than the director. She spoke in a very sincere way about what I had offered the school over the last five years. She knew that I had contributed meaningfully with full commitment. Alhumdulillah.

What can I say? We work for the pleasure of Allah. In the end, others inshahallah realize our drive to do our best and appreciate it. If they don't, then it is not worth worrying about. Our focus to be servants of God in this life is most important---everything else is cake.

When it was time to go, I got my last goodbyes, some quick photos, and I grabbed my kid. Alhumdulillah, he had made it through sixth grade. He had fasted through finals AND somehow (through the Grace of God) he passed math. We sat together on the bus, even though lately we've ridden home an aisle apart. We had a lot to talk over.

2:30

After we got off the school bus, saying our last goodbye to our driver Mr. Mohammed, I bought veggies from UmAhmed: carrots, zuchhini, green beans and tomatoes. A full bag cost 13 LE and I always pay extra.

I stopped at the little store with the old man and bought some flavored yogurt and some healthy oat cookies. When I got home, El Kid and I made frozen yogurt drops for dessert.

Take half a spoonful of flavored yogurt and plop it on a large plastic lid, and then freeze. Once frozen, twist the lid so the frozen yogurt releases. Any that are still stuck, can be removed with a fork. They can be frozen like little chips in a covered container for a treat later. Only warning is to not make them too big because they really are VERY COLD---much colder than ice cream.

I did tell Ahmed about my day because so much had happened, and then I slept after that. I'm becoming nocturnal waiting up for my husband to come home each night. I'm not happy being a bat.

I was going to leave the dinner prep to my hub, but he cut his thumb, so it was up to me to make the salad and heat up the food. I also sliced up three carrots and three zucchini, and steamed them with a bouillon cube and coriander.

MAGRIB

6:57

When it was time to break the fast, my hub was asleep! That's a new one! I waited to wake him up until all the food was dished up. No need to have him sleepy and grumpy. It all worked out and we prayed and ate. Everything tasted great tonight. I loved having salad and fresh veggies (made up for not having any last night).

We watched Ramez and joked around. The mood was good tonight. No more school stress.

ISHA

8:30

My hub went to the mosque and then to his sister's house. El Kid and I got to chill and eat our frozen yogurt drops.

6 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Salam alikum wa rahmatuallah wa barakathu ukhti yosra.. Been a long time since i last commented. Sorry for such a late response, have been caught with things in life lately. Its always refreshing to read your blog and now your ramadan diaries..every night before i go to sleep i read your entries. Like i said before, love your writings as well as an sneak peak into your life :) masha allahHope you and family are always doing great. Convey my salam to el kid and tell him we are so proud of him for his fasting, inspite of the heat and exams. He got the determination from his mum, Masha allah.Sis yosra, hope you dont mind me asking, but why is it you leaving the school and making a big move to alexandria? Things were not going well at the present school or what?Anyway am so glad that you and el kid finished school term and finally its time to chill and relax.I live in morocco, and you and your family are welcome to our place if you ever wish to visit morocco.Take careHugs and kisses.fi aman allah.Umm Yahya

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